MANCHESTER’S PRE-RETIREES ASPIRE TO REVIVE THEIR COMMUNITIES
Pre-retirees in Manchester are on a mission to revive their communities, revealing they want to use their valuable skills and life experience to kick-start their own, diverse range of clubs and Activities.
New research from national volunteering organisation, Royal Voluntary Service and Prudential to launch their ‘Bring People Together’ campaign found over a third (38%) of 50-65 year olds in Manchester are interested in volunteering to spearhead their own groups and activities as a way to boost support for people in their community.
Across Great Britain, these pre-retirees are also thinking in an eclectic way when it comes to the activities they want to start. Claiming the clubs currently on offer don’t match their interests, they instead are motivated to introduce a raft of new ones such as walking groups (33%), games clubs (16%), live music and film screening groups and tablet and tech training classes(both 13%). Even adventure sports and dating groups are on the radar for some.
Many 50-65 year olds think it’s in their hands to revive their communities – and their particular focus is on supporting Older people. More than one fifth (24%) believe the onus is on the general public to step in to help older people, whilst more than half (55%) believe older people are not supported enough in Great Britain and there is a huge gap in the provision of care. Additionally, almost one in four (24%) believe by helping older people in the community now, it will create a legacy to support them as they too grow older.
The study found 18% of 50-65 year olds in Manchester currently volunteer in some capacity, however, of those that don’t, nearly half (47%) would consider doing so in the next five years. Key motivators nationally were wanting to give back to the local community (47%), keeping busy and active (40%), helping make life better for those in the community (31%) and having a purpose in retirement (24%).
The ‘Bring People Together’ campaign seeks to encourage and empower more people in Manchester to volunteer, particularly those aged 50-65. Specifically, its aim is to inspire them to start their own activities or clubs for older people with the backing of Royal Voluntary Service. From social activities and hobby classes to running a lunch club or providing companionship to older people in their homes, Royal Voluntary Service and Prudential want to harness the get-up-and-go of pre-retirees’ by encouraging them to put their talents and life experience to valuable use by becoming volunteer co-ordinators.
The programme will initially run in six locations around Great Britain – North Wales, Manchester, London, Reading, Stirling, Glasgow with an additional five locations – Leicester, Kent, Northumberland, Gloucestershire and Norfolk being added early summer.
Eleanor Turner, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Prudential said: “Through our Bring People Together partnership with Royal Voluntary Service we want to inspire people to get involved locally and empower them to make a difference. This not only helps them get the most out of life but also helps the older people they will be providing activities for. Our aim is to create a network of community groups which will improve lives for many years to come.”
Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 25,000 volunteers supporting thousands of older people each month in hospitals and the community. The focus is on building confidence, improving well-being and keeping loneliness at bay through an array of social activities and more structured support. Working across hundreds of hospitals in the community, the charity is one of the largest retailers in the NHS, with its network of cafes, shops and trolley services providing much-valued services in hospitals.
To find out more about the campaign or becoming a volunteer coordinator email Bal Singh on [email protected] call us on 0300 012 0261 or visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
